Disney’s Alice and…Her Ebenezers

Alice in Wonderland (2010) is a story about Ebenezers. When Alice is a little girl, her father instills in her the brilliant idea to believe in “six impossible things before breakfast.” Later in life, as she’s preparing to slay the Red Queen and doubting she has what it takes, she’ll have to call upon this practice.

So, what even is an Ebenezer? An Ebenezer is a story from your past that reminds you that God is your “rock of help” in the present. It’s a concept from 1 Samuel 7 that features the Israelites getting ready to face the giant Philistine army. Though the Philistine force is bigger and badder than they, as the Philistines draw near to attack, God hears and answers the Israelites’ cry for help. The Lord dispatches a roaring thunder, which in turn sends the Philistines into panic mode. As they run for the hills, the tables are metaphorically turned, and now it’s the Israelites who are pursuing their befuddled enemy.

What does this story in the Old Testament have to do with Alice and her Wonderland? You see, Alice didn’t get to the heroic position you see her in at the end of the film by way of Easy Street. Throughout the movie, the Wonderland characters are placing doubt in Alice. Mally keeps saying right to her face that she’s not “the right Alice.” The tiny mouse voices with a boisterous confidence that she’s, in fact, “the wrong Alice.”

All of this has the girl in the blue dress confused. Where is she? Who are these strange characters? And more importantly, who is she in light of all of this madness?

Absolem and the rest of the Wonderland critters try to convince her she is part of a prophecy (the oraculum) where she slays the Jabberwocky. “It’s all about you, you know,” says the Mad Hatter. She knows nothing of it and refuses to believe she is a part of this grand story. The wise Absolem also refuses to admit it’s her who will accomplish this great feat because she isn’t showing the kind of inner fight required for the task.

Despite all the confusion, the Mad Hatter chooses to keep believing in Alice. In the face of her doubters, Hatter shouts jubilantly, “it’s absolutely Alice!” But even he can only hold onto his hope for so long. He puts up with her until he’s had all he can take, then sums up her problem perfectly: “You’re not the same as you were before,” he tells her frankly. “You were much more…” He pauses, then continues decisively, “muchier. You’ve lost your muchness.” Even the Red Queen identifies Alice as “Um,” unknowingly calling out her indecisiveness and refusal to own up to who she is meant to be.

Though the Mad Hatter accuses Alice of losing her courage, he’s really just challenging her to rise up. As she faces her destiny with fear, her weary wavering soul laments, “This is impossible.”

“Only if you believe it is,” Mad Hatter whispers back.

His relentless encouragement and patience awaken something in Alice. “Sometimes I believe as many as six impossible things before breakfast,” she responds. The Mad Hatter tells her what’s on my mind as well—“That is an excellent practice.” Alice, finally, is remembering who she is. She is taking on her true identity as the daughter of her father. If he could dream up impossible things and act on them in faith, she begins to believe, so could she.

Alice is caught up in an epic battle of good vs. evil, not unlike the one in 1 Samuel 7 where the concept of Ebenezer is introduced. It is the long-spoken-of “Frabjuous Day.” She finally steps forward to go head-to-head against the evil jabberwocky. It’s the thing she’s been dreading.

But now she is armed. “Six impossible things,” she says as she stares down the jabberwocky with its beastly tentacles coming every which way out of its head.

Life sometimes feels like an uphill battle.

“Count them, Alice,” she encourages herself. “One, there’s a potion that can make you shrink.”

The jabberwocky shrieks its terrifying shrill roar. Alice continues counting. “Two, and a cake that can make your grow.”

She courageously moves forward. “Three, animals can talk.”

It’s working. She’s recounting the impossible things she’s seen before so that she can conquer the impossible now.

What about you—What seemingly impossible thing have you been called to that you’re dreading? Have you lost your “muchness?” Are you wondering if maybe you’re not the “right Alice?”

Spend some time recounting your own personal Ebenezer stories. Where has God come through for you in the past? How can this inform your present?

In your seemingly impossible circumstances (aka: your jabberwocky), how can knowing that God is your “rock of help” change the outlook of your future? Grab a journal and spend some time reflecting or leave it in a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.

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POSTED BY

Jenna

Jenna Kruse is a teacher but not in a classroom. She loves to think outside the box and inside the Word and is daily in need of an attitude adjustment. She is a wife to Justin, a mother to three school-aged children, and a mentor to teenagers and young adults. You can learn more about the heart behind her blog HERE.

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